Dacorum’s Den Returns

Budding entrepreneurs have the chance to get a head start in business by pitching for up to £1,000 grant from Dacorum’s Den.

Dacorum Borough Council is again launching Dacorum’s Den – the local version of the popular TV series Dragon’s Den. It is a grant giving initiative to help local small businesses develop and grow. This is the ninth year the Council has run Dacorum’s Den, which has seen £55,000 awarded to local businesses and has created additional jobs within the borough.

Dacorum’s Den is aimed at individuals and businesses who have:

• less than 20 employees and under £1m turnover
• have a great business idea
• are keen to expand their business in Dacorum
• require funds to adapt their business to better survive the post COVID environment.

Sponsored by local businesses, applications are now open until Monday 6 June 2022.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to put their ideas before a panel of judges, led by Sir Mike Penning MP, who will hear their pitch and decide whether or not to award the grant.

Sir Mike Penning MP for Hemel Hempstead, said: ‘I support this scheme entirely; it is not only supportive of the local economy, but it sees larger corporations enabling the growth of small businesses. Dacorum Borough Council provides such a great service to the businesses within our borough and this is just one of the initiatives they orchestrate.’

This year’s sponsors are Sopra Steria, Britvic, Abode Bed, The Marlowes Shopping Centre, Hemel Hempstead BID, Heart Hertfordshire, Epson, Barnard & Webb Solicitors and Maylands Business Centre.

Dacorum’s Den is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a business idea to get a helping hand into making it reality, or for existing small companies to grow and adapt their business models to unlock future potential.

For more information or to apply for Dacorum’s Den visit www.dacorum.gov.uk/dacorumsden or contact business@dacorum.gov.uk.